Break my heart for what breaks yours... Changing gears

On the 2007 Hillsong Album, Saviour and King, there is a song that has the line 'Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours, everything I have for your Kingdom's cause'

From the first time that this concept penetrated my mind it has left a significant impact upon my actions, and my moment by moment awareness.  A friend, Lloyd Reeb, who wrote the book 'Success to significance' made the statement that a Christian will never find his or her passion and purpose unless they are open to experiencing what it is that breaks God's heart.

Have you ever considered what makes God weep when God looks upon your area, your community, the persons, places and activities that you encounter in your life?  Perhaps it is the hunger of a vulnerable and neglected child, or the bruised and broken body of a woman who lives with an abusive husband.... Perhaps it is the suffering of those whose country has been occupied by a conquering force?  

I think it is likely that God's heart will break over similar things that cause your heart to break - in God's omniscience, I believe that God can see both more joy, but also more sorrow, than we can see.

What I've found is that when I operate within that area, where my passion aligns with God's passion, then it is like changing gears - more speed with less effort.  Somehow I find it easier to work towards bringing about God's will and purpose when I feel passion and a strong emotional connection to the issue, or person, in focus.

My friend Alan Storey is one of those who has taught me most in this regard.  Alan leads frequent retreats for his congregation called 'A pilgrimage of pain and hope'.  He takes groups of persons to encounter the brokenness and hurt in the world, some of which is all around them all the time.  The realisation is that we become to hardened to the struggle and hurt of others that we no longer notice it - the children who live on our streets, the unemployed begging for money at the traffic lights etc.  It is a spiritual discipline to be carefully guided to have your heart broken by the brokenness of others.  In this you can find the opportunity and grace to act to change some of these situations.

When last was your heart broken for what breaks God's heart?  I am praying today 'Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours - everything I have for your Kingdom's cause'.